Democratic Presidential Debate Analysis

Despite Penn not hosting the seventh DNC sanctioned debate, I hope many of you took the time to break through our Walnut Street boundary, venture north and experience the energy on Drexel University’s campus.

Much attention was given to Chris Matthews “hardballing” DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Philadelphia Democratic Candidate for Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. The press thoroughly enjoyed the shouting competition between the Clinton, Obama, Edwards and Biden camps  (sorry Richardson, Kucinich and Dodd supporters - I didn’t see your presence). I must admit, the award for most “catchy cry” goes to the Hillary camp. They are in the fortunate position of having a candidate who’s name rhymes with nominee.

Crowded on Chestnut Street infront of a building illuminated in red, white and blue, many of us waited for a glimpse and if fortunate enough, a handshake from our Presidential hopeful. With bullhorn in hand, retired 4-star General Wesley Clark raised above and addressed the Hillary camp from his 4-step ladder - a tactic I’m quite sure is not allowed. But hey, who’s going to stop him, the man was the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO.

I, unfortunately, was not one of the 45 Drexel students to get a ticket to the debate. I’m actually quite sure I had a better chance at winning the Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball Jackpot of $51 Million. So I returned to the comfort of our Penn bubble and watched the event from the confines of my home, surrounded by my fellow political junkies. 

The crazyness thus ensued. Skipping all formalities, moderators Brian Williams and Tim Russert dove straight into the content. First topic: the Iraq War. This was certainly no surprise. This was also the point where Hillary became the evening’s target. Former Senator and Vice-Presidential nominee, John Edwards (NC) criticized Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) for her vote on a congressional resolution that declared Iran’s National Guard a terrorist organization. Her vote may allow President Bush to invade. This bill was sponsored solely by 7 Republicans and Joseph Lieberman, an Independent. Senator Barack Obama also joined the fight against Hillary by arguing that she was “changing positions whenever it’s politically convenient.” Obama staffers revealed that the Junior Senator from Illinois had reviewed tapes from Bill Clinton’s 1992 primary debates against Larry Agran, Jerry Brown, Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey and Paul Tsongas in order to work out an effective way to attack opponents but maintain likeability. I believe he successfully executed this by leaving the brash criticism to his fellow party members.

Oh the lightening round. This was our chance to hear the candidates give us 30 second sound bites about domestic policies. In my opinion, more emphais should have been placed on the domestic issues, but I do see the arguments for addressing Iraq and Iran in detail.

A rhetorical catagorization that developed late into the evening was Hillary Clinton’s “doubletalk” - a term coined by Edwards, and exemplified when the issue of drivers licenses for immigrants was raised by Senator Chris Dodd (CT). Clinton, in a convoluted manner, agreed that New York Governor Spitzer’s plan to allow illegal immigrants the right to a drivers license “makes alot of sense.” But then stated she does not support Spitzer’s plan even though she repeated he had the right idea. I would like to take a moment and mention that this is not an anti-Hillary Clinton column. I do infact believe she showed immense potential by rolling with the punches and issuing strong responses.

Now up until this stage, I have only mentioned the top-three candidates, as referenced from polling data. So here is a recap of how the remaining candidates’ evenings went. Governor Bill Richardson (NM) enjoyed telling us about his experience as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and how he is the only capable person to negotiate with others. With a former trial lawyer on the stage, I find holes in his argument. Dennis Kucinich stood by his account that he did actually see a UFO (and over emphasized he wasn’t alone - apparently 13% of this country see things too). Senator Dodd argued for the de-criminalization of marijuana while Senator Biden (DE) got ready to head to Smokey Joe’s Bar (also known as Smoke’s) on S.40th Street. Did anyone actually see him there? Senator Mike Gravel was not invited because he failed to reach fundraising and polling thresholds. He actually hosted his own debate. Against himself. As a side-note, I would certainly enjoy seeing Barack Obama in his “two-faced Mitt Romney mask” he jokingly revealed he was going to wear for Halloween.

Only 15 more days until we can witness this spectacle again: November 15, 2007 - Las Vegas, NV followed by December 10, 2007 - Los Angeles, CA. We’re heading West! Road-trip anyone?

Anton E. Helmke, C’08

Communications Director
Penn for John Edwards